Photo of the day: Meet me by the sea

Plakias Beach in the South part of Rethymno - Crete.

Greece Among ‘Most Excellent’ Places to Travel Worldwide, Says TripAdvisor

Greece is among the “Most Excellent” global tourism destinations that have the highest percentage of TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence recipients, according to travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor.


More specifically, Greece ranks fourth on the list of TripAdvisor’s “Most Excellent” countries, with Iceland in first place, Ireland in second, the UK in third and Morocco in the fifth position.

In its eighth year, the Certificate of Excellence is given to accommodations, restaurants and experiences that deliver great service and consistently achieve high traveler reviews on travel planning and booking site TripAdvisor.

 “Most Excellent” Countries Overall
1. Iceland
2. Ireland
3. United Kingdom
4. Greece
5. Morocco
6. France
7. The Netherlands
8. Italy
9. Portugal
10. Belgium

“When travelers see a Certificate of Excellence sticker or certificate on display, they immediately know that the business has a track record of offering highly rated guest or dinner experiences.

Now, with our ‘Most Excellent’ lists, we’re excited to reveal the destinations where travelers are most likely to encounter these excellent businesses,” said Neela Pal, Vice President of Brand Marketing at TripAdvisor.

Greece also ranked second on the lists of the “Most Excellent” Countries for Restaurants and Experiences; and eighth among the “Most Excellent countries for Accommodations.

 “Most Excellent” Countries for Restaurants
1. Iceland
2. Greece
3. Ireland
4. United Kingdom
5. Portugal
6. France
7. Italy
8. Spain
9. The Netherlands
10. Hungary

  

“Most Excellent” Countries for Experiences
1. Iceland
2. Greece
3. Mexico
4. Portugal
5. Morocco
6. Vietnam
7. United Kingdom
8. Brazil
9. Thailand
10. Chile

 

  “Most Excellent” Countries for Accommodations
1. Singapore
2. United Arab Emirates
3. Morocco
4. Iceland
5. Ireland
6. United Kingdom
7. Australia
8. Greece
9. Canada
10. Indonesia

 The Certificate of Excellence winners were selected using a proprietary algorithm that takes into account the quality, quantity, and recency of user reviews, as well as the business’ tenure on the site. 

Recipients must maintain an overall TripAdvisor rating of at least four out of five, have a minimum number of reviews and have been listed on TripAdvisor for at least twelve months. 

A business must be listed for the full 12-month qualifying period between April 1 to March 31 to be considered.

(Source: GTP)

Greeks Have the World’s 6th Most Powerful Passport

Greece remains in 6th spot for a second year in a row, the best ranking ever !

The Greek passport remains the 6th most-powerful travel document in the world amid an annual global ranking of the Henley Passport Index.

This index measures the number of countries certain passport holders can visit without having to apply for a visa. According to the Henley Passport Index, Greeks can visit 174 countries without a visa.

Greece remains in sixth place, with Japan knocking Germany from the top spot in the list of the world’s most powerful passports. Japanese citizens can visit 189 of a possible 218 countries in the world without a visa.

According to the new Passport Index rankings, German passport holders can travel to 188 countries without a visa, while British citizens can visit 186 countries without one.

Mediterranean Cooking: Ouzo sorbet

By: Simoni Kafiri | 21.05.2018 | Desserts, Mediterranean Cooking
 

This “soft snow” is brash and boozy! It’s the perfect after-dinner digestif. Any brand of ouzo will do… If you are not fond of ouzo, replace it with champagne if you wish!
Serves: 4-5 Prep. time: 15′ + 6h waiting Cooks in: 5′ Ready in: 20′

Ingredients
1 cup ouzo
1¾ cup sugar
2 water

Method

Step 1
In a saucepan boil water with sugar. When it comes to a boil cook for another 5 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let syrup cool. Stir in ouzo.

Step 2
Transfer mix in a cool container with lid and freeze. When it starts to thicken, remove from freezer, stir with a fork and return to freezer. Repeat for a couple of times and freeze completely.

Photo: Vangelis Paterakis – Food styling: Elena Jeffrey

Greek Beaches Notch Up Nearly 520 Blue-Flag Awards

Greece is the second country worldwide for its number of blue-flag beaches according to the Association for Environmental Education and the Consumer (ADEAC).

Almost 520 of the country’s beaches were awarded the prestigious blue-flag status. The top area in Greece, for this year again, is Halkidiki with 89 flags.

Blue flags are awarded to those beaches that meet high standards for hygiene, sanitary conditions, safety, accessibility and the provision of lifeguards.

The international committee this year awarded 3,687 beaches, 679 marinas and 55 tourist boats across the world.

Spain safely holds onto its title in 2018 as the country with the most blue-flag beaches. It will be able to fly blue flags at a total of 590 of its beaches this summer.

Greece is second this year, followed by Turkey, France and Italy in that order, out of the world total of 4,423 blue flags in 45 countries.

According to the Hellenic Society for the Protection of Nature, the national operator of the program, the blue flag is the most recognizable ecological symbol in the world.
(Source: Greek Reporter)

New Review on Tripadvisor: "Excellent location and accommodation" (with photos)

''You are looking at the best accommodation in plakias. 

The rooms are very recently built with the best standards. 

The beach is just meters away and the village of plakias just 100 meters from the rooms. 

It is super quiet and relaxing, also perfect for children. 

The hosts, Eleni and Giorgos, are the most kind and helpful people, always there for help or recommendations. 

 I will definitely return to stay there again!

Stayed: April 2018, travelled with family''

See here: TripAdvisor

 Plakiassuites: Ranked #1 of 51 Speciality Lodging in Plakias, Retyhymno - Crete!

  

  108 Reviews Certificate of Excellence

Are you ready? Welcome to Greece...

We are ready! Season 2018 welcome!
www.plakiassuites.com

Plakias Suites is a family complex of 6 apartments that fits perfectly into the natural Cretan surroundings in one of the most attractive locations in southern Crete, the bay of Plakias.

We are here to help you. On site or by telephone.
 
We look forward to hearing from you, to welcoming you and looking after you as our guest. 

We will be happy to help and advise you to ensure that your stay is an unforgettable experience.

Eleni - Giorgos
Suites Owners, Plakias

Plakias Suites: 1 of 50 Specialty Lodging in Plakias, Rethymno Crete

Plakias Suites (5.0 of 5 stars) Ranked 1 of 50 Specialty Lodging in Plakias according the popular travel site TripAdvisor 

Plakias Suites is a family complex of 6 apartments that fits perfectly into the natural Cretan surroundings in one of the most attractive locations in southern Crete, the bay of Plakias.
 

Having already received the prize Certificate of Excellence with 106 Reviews !

Photo of the day: Summer is coming..

Plakias is 35 kilometres south of Rethymno, on the southern coast of Crete on the Libyan Sea and is a popular tourist resort well-known for its award-winning Blue Flag sandy beach stretching for 1400 metres.

It combines everything as it offers visitors many facilities: surgery, pharmacy, all kinds of shops, car hire, post office, ATM, many tavernas, exciting nightlife, organized beaches (Souda, Damnoni, Ammoudi, Schinaria), diving centre, free-riding centre, and an extensive marina where even large yachts can berth.

http://www.plakiassuites.com/

Crete in top five of TripAdvisor’s best world destinations

“The birthplace of both the king of the Olympian gods and of modern European civilization, Crete is a Mediterranean jewel.”

Crete has come in fifth place among the world’s top destinations for 2018 in the Travelers’ Choice Awards of travel website TripAdvisor, hailed for “its rich archaeological and mythological history that’s reflected in its ancient ruins and cultural attractions.”

The Greek island also ranked in fourth place among the best destinations in Europe for 2018, with TripAdvisor users naming its top five highlights as the cities of Hania, Rethymno and Iraklio, the family friendly port of Hersonissos and the seaside town of Aghios Nikolaos.

In the global destination ranking, which measured the popularity of 402 destinations on 42 international lists, Crete came after Paris, London, Rome and Bali. 

It was followed by Barcelona, Prague, Marrakesh, Istanbul and New York.

 “It’s clear in looking at this year’s list of Travelers’ Choice award-winning destinations that our millions of reviewers across the globe love exploring iconic cities that are full of rich history and culture,” said Brooke Ferencsik, senior director of communications for TripAdvisor !

3rd Crete Marathon

The 3rd Crete Marathon will be held at the beautiful town of Chania on Sunday 15 of April 2018. 

Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a memorable race in the historic centre of Chania.

Starting from the Old Municipal Market, runners will pass from the old Venetian Harbour and then follow an impressive course by the sea. It is a course of unique beauty which will provide the participants an unforgettable running experience.

Apart from the Marathon Race, the event also includes a 10km run, a 5km run, as well as a 2.5 fun run.

The Event of the 3rd Crete Marathon will be launched on Friday 13 of April with a ceremony of cutting the olive branch "kotinos" from the monumental olive tree of Vouves which will be used for the wreath bestowed upon the Marathon winners, act that constitutes an Olympic Symbol, and on Saturday the 14th a torch relay in memory of Metropolitan Irenaeus Galanakis will take place as well as an Opening Ceremony.

The 3rd Crete Marathon is organized by the Chania Road Runners Health Club and various local authorities. It is held under the auspices of SEGAS and the Hellenic Association of Mass Popular Sports and Ultra Running Clubs and it is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

For more info: www.crete-marathon.gr

15/04/2018 - 15/04/2018

Location: CRETE CHANIAChania

Hours - Comments

Date: 15/04/2018. Place: Chania – Crete. Start. Point: Old Municipal Market of Chania. Start. T.: 08:00 (Marathon Race), 09:00 (10 km Run), 12:00 (5 km Run), 13:00 (2.5km Fun Run).